Piano-playing attachment.



No. 848,278. l PATENTBD MAR. 26, 1907.

A. WILHBLMJ. PIANO PLAYING ATTACHMENT.

A?PLIOATION FILED AUG. 4, 1903.

` v z SHEETS-SHEET 1'.

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PATBNTED MAR. 2e, 1907.

:Nol 848,278.

A WILHELMJ PIANO PLAYING ATTACHMENT.

APPLIOATIONHLBD AUG. 4, 190s.

2 SHEETS-SHEET .lill- UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE.v

ARTHURl WILRELMJ, AoF sAN FRANcisco, CALIFORNIA.

I PlANo-PLAYING ATTACHMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

A Patented March 2e, 1907..'

Application tiled Augustl, 1908. Serial No. 168,140.y

To all whom t may concern:

Subj ect of the Emperor of Germany, residingv in the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Piano-Playing Attachments, of which the following is a speci- 4. fication.

This invention relates to .a means or device ofnovel construction applicable to mechanical piano-players' of most of the different makes now in use as an attachment for varying and lmodifying at the pleasure of the erformer the loudness and softness of the ass or accompanimentand the treble or melody parts of the composition being played. v

The invention is designed to constitute an addition. to the accentuating-box' usually provided in these piano-playing instruments for producing staccato eiects' or giving greater sharpness or expression to certain llotes, although it is not dependent onthat partof the mechanism for its effective operation, and it may beseparated from the accentuating-box and controlled by a diiierent lever instead of bcingjoined to that part.

Brieliy stated; the invention hasfor its object the production of an attachment for varying the areaof the connecting-passages or conductors between the suction-chamber or exhaust and the actuating pneumatics of the bass side of the valve-chest separately and independently of the Ysimilar passages or conductors between the pneumatics 'in the treble side of the valve-chest and the suctionchamber, whereby the performer is enabled to control the degree of loudness or softness of the notes on one side over the other and to modify the same at pleasure during theplaymg.

. To such end and object the invention con- I.

sists in certain novel means for varying the Y of controlling-valves tension or condition of the exhaust acting on the key-striking devices that play the bass side of the keyboard separately of the tension which' actuates the strikers of the keys in the treble side and in the combination therewith and valve-actuating devices controlled by the performer, as ,hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims at the end of this speciiication,` in' which reference is had to the'accompanying drawings,'forming art'thereof.

Figure -1 of the. rawings .is a front eleva'- tion of the Nahe-'chests containingfthe primary and secondary pneumaticsfof a Iney chanical piano-player of the well-known pian- Beit known 'that I, ARTHUR WILHELMJ, a i ola type having my invention accentuating-box with which it is connected in the present construction isr indicated by the dotted lines behind the .chest containing the secondary pneumatics. Fig. 2 is a side elevation taken from the left side of Fig. 1, with 'the modifying means and-the accentuating-box in section i Fig is a horizontal sectional view throughl the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

The drawings re resent the invention ap-A plied to the secon ary chest a of an instrument ofthe well-known taining the channels andp sages c d e connecting the pneumatics of the key-actuating devices with the exhaust-compartments of the bellows-action.v

These lastmentioned are not shown in the drawings.

Like-the valve-chests in other instruments ofthe kind, the primary chest b, Fig. 71, is of well-known construction, with a primary valve ffor each note in the scale, `having two disks Xed on a common stem f2 and the pocket behind the puff or diaphragmpneumatic f4 connected in the usual way by a tubular conductor f 5 with a duct in the tracker-board of the instrument. space or chamber between the 'upper and lower disks of the valvefa tubular conductorg (indicated by dotted lines in Fig. l) connects the space controlled by the valve directly with the pocket g2 under the dia-A95` phragm-pneumatic g, that actuates the similar controlling-valve in the secondary chest a. Like the corresponding chest in other instruments or playing attachments, this chest,

a 1s provided with compartments open to the ioo atmosphere andl 'separate compartments communicating with the exhaust ortension bellows of the instrument', but instead of having an exhaust-compartment common to ythe controlling-valves of the neumatics that operate the'trebleand the bass notes thevalve-chest d has an exhaustcompartment divided by a transverse partition L into atreble side c and a bass d in such manner that'thel valves i, ywhich control'the 11o pneumaticsof the strikers for the notes in the treble or melody side,

the conducting-passages. 6o

on the line 2'2, Fig. 3. 7o

ianola type lccn- 7 conducting-pas-- parts of the playing mechanism 8o From the 9o whole set of A are situated on the right of the partition, while the corresponding valves 7c, controlling the strikers for the notes on the bass or accompaniment side, are in communication. with the exhaust through the compartment d on the right ol the partition.

The primary Valves f are represented in Fig. l in their normal position, with their `lower.disks away from their seats and the chest. mary Valve when its controlling-duct in the p secondary valves being designated gx ports open to the exhaust-compartment b2 in the primary Valve-chest, with the effect to deflate the diaphragm-pneumatics g of the corresponding valves'in the secondary valvevThis is the normal position of the pritrack'er-bo'ard being covered by the musicsheet is deflated tand the upper disk of the primary 'valve is on its seat, closing commumcation with the passage b, which 1s open to the atmosphere, as shownv 1n Fig. 1.

IThe secondary valves (those'inlth'e right 'exhaust-'compartment c bleingindicated by dthe lettera' and those in theleft compartment ,the usual'way, where they extend upward fromY the secondary to' the primary chest and 'from the secondary Valves tothe power pneumatics lor motors of the action. They would therefore not'be seen in the sectional of Fig. '1, which is taken in aplane chind and parallel with 'the "front of the chest.

However, the'positions of4 these tubular conductorsI are indicatedin dotted lies'inthis yiew,ftl1ose vthat connect the primary "and 'and those that connect the secondary valves with the power-pneumatics being desiA nated ry. The exhaust-spaces in the chestvided in this manner into the compartmentsfor -the v*bass 'and the compartmentsiforthe. treble are connected with exhaustingy a paratus of dirfere'nt degrees of tension or exhaust', such es'thes'e piano-plsying instruments are now providedwith an which generallyv comprise what may `bc''ermedthe` high-tension, or

n forte bellws` and the f low-tension 'or piano bellows. 4 .y

`At the present time'it'is the practice to lead yseparate conductors 'm 'n from the two bellows -directly into a closed boxv s, to which the exhaust-spaces inthe secondar che'st are connected by conducting-charme s openy l inginto thebox, and, by means of' a single slide-.valve t, arran'gedto control the two openings 1n the .box,the tension or degree ortion n nects with the low-tension bellows, and the of exhaust is Varied by ,covering the hightension opening'or reducing the area of the opening rThis part of the apparatus is generally known as the accentuating-box, and its Valve is controlled by the performer through the medium of a rocking lever situated in front of the chest in position near the tem o-recrulatinvf` means and where it 'is- D b I readily operated with the right hand. Interposed between this accentuating-box and the channels in the chest al are the means herein described for separately controlling and varying the tension or degree of exhaust in the two compartments c d before mentioned, and asthe best mode of carrying out the invention I prefer 'to connect to the front of theaccentuating-box s and form directly as' a part of it a box p, containing two sets of compartments separated by a partition 2, extending longitudinally of the box and comprising two compartments 3 4 infront of the partition 2, from which tubular conductors 5 6 lead., res ectively, to the bass side andthe treble si e of the chest a. Behind the partition 2 the space is divided by two cross-partitions 1() 12 into three compartments 7 8 9, the middle one communicating with the accentuating-box through'an opening 14.- and also'with the'two compartments 3 4 on the opposite side of the artition 2 through separate Valve-control ed ports or openingsv 15 16, while the outer compartments 7 9 are 'connected by atubular conductor 17 with the smaller or low-tension bellows 'of the instrument. The last-mentioned compart- Iments 7 9 communicate separately with the two compartments 3 4 through' opening 18 19 ina; divided wail 2.

It will be understood that the pipe n conpi e mwith the high-tension bellows. 'By {ri' I/e'of this larrangement the channel dinthe bass" side ofthe 'chest communicates with thejaccentuating-box through the passage ex., lthe conductor 5, andthe compartments 4 a'n'd 8, While the channel 0,' through which the 'pne'um atics'in'the treble side are actuated, is

connected" separately with the accentuatihgbox through the passage e, the conductor 6, 'and' the compartments 3 and 8. to such'connection with the high-tension and 'In 'addition low-tension bellows through the accentuating-box sA the compartments 3 4 are directly connected with the low-tension exhaust alone through the outercompartments7 9 and the conductor 17, which leads to the low-tension bellows, as before'described.

The two conductors 6 17 are always in direct communication 'with the low-tension l side ofthe exhausting apparatus through the 'compartments 7 and 9, whereas the connec- IOO trolled ports '1'5 16. By the valve 20 the degree or condition of the' tension in'the cxo'nfm nx in the accentuating-box are uncovered, for at such time both compartments 3 4 will be in direct communication with the middle" space 8 and with the common exhaustspace'in the accentuating-box syl-thus giving the same conditions in the two channels on e port 16 be closed or reduced in area by mov. ing the valve 20 to the left the compartment opposite sides ofA thepartitien 2; but if the 4 .will be cut off from the compartment 8,

connecting with the high tension, or will be reduced to a greater or less degree, according .to the positien of thel valve 20, and the port 15 being full-open will give the compartment 3 and the conductor 6 leading from it the full force or effect of the tension existing in the accent-uating-box.`

Closing communication between either one 'compartment v3 or the other 4 and the hightension space 8 has the effect to produce or set up in the compartment the low condition of tension necessary Jfor playing piano passages and by shifting the valve 20 this etlect onthe leudness or intensity of the sound produced by the striking mechanism is controlled and varied li'n degree -in one side over the other side of the keyboard delicately and promptly through the movement-s of a single lever.

For conveniently moving vthe accenuatingl valve t and the valve 20, as well asto avoid multiplying the regulating levers and stops of the instrument, lI connect the two valves through the medium ot' se arate rock-shafts '23 23 andthe arms or lin s with a rocking lever of novel character, the construction and operation of which .will be readily understood by referring to Figs. 1 and 2. This lever consists of a grooved bar 32, set on apivot 33, on which point as a center it is movable in a v'vertical arc on both sides of a vertical cent-erline passing through the pivot. In this bar a second bar 34 is fitted to slide freely, while being contined'in the groove on the front face ot the Erst-mentioned bar,l so as to be movable up 4and down, and also having the same4 angular movement with thepivoted member.'

The slide-bar 34 is," connected with the valve 20 bythe rock-shaft 23, carrying the arms 26 27,-ixed on it at right angles-to each other, one connected with the slide-bar by a rod 30 and the other with the valve 2() by a rod 3]. and a link. The rocking bar 32 is similarly connected with the accentuatingvalve by the rock-shaft 22 and the arms 24 25, which are set in line with each other on o ositesides of the shaft, instead of at rig t. angles, in order to produce sliding movement ot the valve from the rocking movement of theI lever, one arm being connected to the lever 32 by the link 28 and the remaining arm of the shaft to the valve by the rod 29. These parts are so arranged that the accentuating-valve t stands on the center between the high-tension port and the lowtension port when the lever is moved over to the right, and the slide-bar 34 will be about midway between its` extreme highest and l lowest positions on the rocking member` 32 when the valve 20 is midway between the two ports 15 1-6.

' A. coiled spring 36, attached to the lower end ofthe rocking member 32 -and to a iixed pointon the case, acts in the contrary direction to the pressure of the pericormers Jringer, whereby he moves the lever over toward the lettand brings it towardl the right again or back to the starting-point as often as the lever is released or the pressure otl the linger against it is lessened.

What l. claim as my invention is l'. In a pneumatic music-playing instrument, the combination with a series of powerpneumatics and key-,operating devices individuall to the notes of the instrument; ot two sources of pneumatics tension of diil'erent degrees of exhausting power, and means for shifting and varying the'communication between the said sources of exhausting power` and the power-pneumatics, com rising a box having a principal exhausting-c amber .coinmon to both sources of pneumatic tension, a

compartment with which the power-pneumatics of the treble -notes communicate througha common conductor, a second coinpartment with which the power-pneumatics of the .bass-notes similarly communicate, a

valve adjusted to control at will the communication of the principal exhausting-chamber with either source 4ot pneumatic tension, a valve controlling communication between IOO the principal exhausting-chamber and the said exhausting-conipartments, means connecting both exhausting-compartinents di'- rectly with the source of low-tension exhausting power around the valves, and means for separately operathig said valves.-

2, In a pneumatic music-playing instrument the combination of' key-o ieratiiig devices individual to the notes o` the instrunient, and power-pneuiiiatics adapted to actuatc the saine; 'of a source of high-tension exhausting power, a source of low-tension exhausting power-pneumatics that actua-te the hassnotcs in the scale ol the instrument with either the higl'i-tension or the low-tension source ot power separately ofl the powerpneumatics actuating the treble-notes, coniprising a principal exhausting-chamber@cmmon to both sources of exhausting` power, an exhattsting-compartment common to' all the ower, and means for shittingv Iand control ing the connnunication ot theY IIO rig

.6o ating devices with its separate compartment,

powcr-pneumatics of the bass-notes in the scale, a second exhausting compartment common to all the treble-notes inthe scale, a valve-for closing communication of the principal chamber with one source of pneumatic tension and opening the chamber to the othersource of tension, a -valve controlling communication between said principal chamber and either of said exhtrusting-compartments, a conductor connecting said compartments directly .with one source of pneumatic tension around the said controllingm'eans, a handlever, and means connecting said lever with both valves for operating the samesimulltaneo'usly.

3. Ina pneumatic music-playing instrument, .the combination with ypneumatically-l :actuatedkey-opcrating devices individual to -all the notes within the scale of the instruzodnent, of a source of high-tension exhausting power, a source of lowtension exhausting power, an accentuatmg-.bcxhaving'a prlnclpal chamber,l conductors vconnecting both l, sources of power with said chamber, and a t tion thereof with said sources'of lfva-lve operating to--controlithe communicapower, and v,means for simultaneouslyv increasing the action'f the exhausting power upon one setof the key-operating ,devices \and reducing` the vlaction of said exhaust powerupon another -set of said key-operating devices, comprising a box having ran exhausting-compartment "common to the'key-operating devices con-- tained 1n one set-a second -and similar compartment common to the key-operating devices contained in the other set, an intermediate compartment connecting said exhaustving-compartrnents with the accentuatingbox `having-a valve adapted to control communication between both compartments.

.and said box, and a conductor connecting 'both of the yexhausting-compartments directly'with one source of exhausting power around 'the valves, and means for operatmg lsaid valves at will.

hausting-chamber common to both sources of powenfa valve adapted to open communi- -cation of the chamber with one source of power .and closecommunication thereof with the other-source, and vcomprising `a box havinga separate exhausting-compartment for the key-operating devices of each of the 'sets into which the whole number is divided, a.

conductor connecting each set of key-oper containing key-operating pneumatics indiv vidual to thenotes in the scale ofthe instrument, of a yhigh-tension exhausting-bellows, alo'w-tension exhaustin .-bellows, an accentuating-box having' va ve-controlled apertures conductors separately connecting the high-tensionbellows and theloW-tension bel- Alows to-said apertures,1and a box' interposed between' the 'accentuation-box.y and the vvalvechest com risingjtwov exhausting-compartments-to W ich'thepneumatics actuating the .b ass-notes: and the .pneumatics actuatingthe treble-notes 'of the-instrument areseparately connected, a' chamber .having direct communication with the accentuating box, acharn- 'ber having direct communication withl thel llow-tension bellows only, and valve-controlled meansfor connecting either of said exhausting-compartments. at will with 'the accentuating-box and shutting off theother exhausting-compartment. y 6. The combination with two-sources of exhausttension of diiierent powers, of the accentuation-box having a principal chamber withwhich bothsources of power are connected, and a valve adapted to open communication *withl one and close 4communication with the other source of power, and

la box` p having two separate exhausting-y compartments, valve-controlled passages through which either of said compartments is thrown at will into communication "withthe chamber of the accentuation-box,.aconductor connecting the compartments of the box p directly with the source-of low tension, an Voperating-lever and means operatively connecting said'lever-with the valves of bot boxes.

7. The combination Withan accentuationbox having a controlling-valve, and a box IOO having a, controlling-valve,` of an operatin I lever comprising a rocking rnember-7 -a sli able member :movable with the rocking member and also slidable thereon, ymeans operatively connecting the rocking'rnember with one valve, and means similarly connecting 'the slidable member -with the other valve.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARTHUR WILHELMJ.

Witnesses: l

EDWARD E. OsBonN,

M.` REGNE'R.

IIC) 

